ellen Being a good neighbor is more than being helpful and kind to the human and furry friends that live near you. Consider the ecology and wildlife that lives and thrives in your very soil, trees, and immediate surroundings.
There are some very easy basic steps you can do to be neighborly.
1-Mow tall and less often. Letting your grass to grow a bit taller helps bugs have shelter in the cooler grass as well as providing a spot for condensation to form and return water to the soil. I try to only mow once or twice a year on my paths to 4-5 inches. I have been amazed by the wealth of fireflies on our summer nights. No need to disturb their mating grounds.
2-Speaking of fireflies, keep it dark at night. Bugs, moths, bats, raccoons, etc that live at night are better off without excessive twinkling lights and porch lights. If you are going out at night, use the lights as you need them but then turn them off. Have a night out by the fire pit or a chat by candle light.
3-Compost. I recommend a system of three. Indoor collection for food waste, receipts, paper towels. An outdoor collection for your indoor collection to go to. A pile in the yard for yard waste (minus any diseased plant trimmings).
The next level, native plants.
This is something most folks may already have in their yards. This flora is important to sustain the pollinators and insects native to your zone. Good easy ones to try…
For sun or part sun:
1- echinacea
2- milkweed
3- black eyed susan
4- yarrow
5- bee balm
For woodland edge and part shade:
1- solomon seal
2- ostrich or lady fern
3- wild ginger
4- beardstongue
5- asters
A few easy steps can help the native species survive and the ecology of your land thrive.
